Law 8: The Wickets
1. Width and pitching
Two sets of wickets shall be pitched opposite and parallel to each other at a distance of 22 yards/20.12m between the centres of the two middle stumps. Each set shall be 9 in/22.86cm wide and shall consist of three wooden stumps with two wooden bails on top. See Appendix A.
2. Size of stumps
The tops of the stumps shall be 28 inches/71.1cm above the playing surface and shall be dome shaped except for the bail grooves. The portion of a stump above the playing surface shall be cylindrical, apart from the domed top, with circular section of diameter not less than 1 3/8 in/3.49cm nor more than 11/2 in/3.81cm See Appendix A.
3. The bails
(a) The bails, when in position on the top of the stumps,
(i) shall not project more than 1/2 in/1.27cm above them.
(ii) shall fit between the stumps without forcing them out of the vertical.
(b) Each bail shall conform to the following specifications. See Appendix A.
Overall length: - 4 5/16 in/10.95cm
Length of barrel: - 2 1/8 in/5.40cm
Longer spigot: - 1 3/8 in/3.49cm
Shorter spigot: - 13/16 in/2.06cm
4. Junior cricket
In junior cricket, the same definitions of the wickets shall apply subject to following measurements being used.
Width: - 8 in/20.32cm
Pitched for under 13: - 21 yards/19.20m
Pitched for under 11: - 20 yards/18.29m
Pitched for under 9: - 18 yards/16.46m
Height above playing surface: - 27 in/68.58cm
Each stump
Diameter: - not less than 1 1/4 in/3.18cm
nor more than 1 3/8 in/3.49cm
Each bail
Overall: - 3 13/16 in/9.68cm
Barrel: - 1 13/16 in/4.60cm
Longer Spigot: - 1 1/4 in/3.18cm
Shorter Spigot: - 3/4 in/1.91cm
5. Dispensing with bails
The umpires may agree to dispense with the use of bails, if necessary. If they so agree then no bails shall be used at either end. The use of bails shall be resumed as soon as conditions permit. See Law 28.4 (Dispensing with bails).
Two sets of wickets shall be pitched opposite and parallel to each other at a distance of 22 yards/20.12m between the centres of the two middle stumps. Each set shall be 9 in/22.86cm wide and shall consist of three wooden stumps with two wooden bails on top. See Appendix A.
2. Size of stumps
The tops of the stumps shall be 28 inches/71.1cm above the playing surface and shall be dome shaped except for the bail grooves. The portion of a stump above the playing surface shall be cylindrical, apart from the domed top, with circular section of diameter not less than 1 3/8 in/3.49cm nor more than 11/2 in/3.81cm See Appendix A.
3. The bails
(a) The bails, when in position on the top of the stumps,
(i) shall not project more than 1/2 in/1.27cm above them.
(ii) shall fit between the stumps without forcing them out of the vertical.
(b) Each bail shall conform to the following specifications. See Appendix A.
Overall length: - 4 5/16 in/10.95cm
Length of barrel: - 2 1/8 in/5.40cm
Longer spigot: - 1 3/8 in/3.49cm
Shorter spigot: - 13/16 in/2.06cm
4. Junior cricket
In junior cricket, the same definitions of the wickets shall apply subject to following measurements being used.
Width: - 8 in/20.32cm
Pitched for under 13: - 21 yards/19.20m
Pitched for under 11: - 20 yards/18.29m
Pitched for under 9: - 18 yards/16.46m
Height above playing surface: - 27 in/68.58cm
Each stump
Diameter: - not less than 1 1/4 in/3.18cm
nor more than 1 3/8 in/3.49cm
Each bail
Overall: - 3 13/16 in/9.68cm
Barrel: - 1 13/16 in/4.60cm
Longer Spigot: - 1 1/4 in/3.18cm
Shorter Spigot: - 3/4 in/1.91cm
5. Dispensing with bails
The umpires may agree to dispense with the use of bails, if necessary. If they so agree then no bails shall be used at either end. The use of bails shall be resumed as soon as conditions permit. See Law 28.4 (Dispensing with bails).
